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Designing Living Systems (LARC20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Simon Chen (Subject Coordinator)
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Ecological design is an interdisciplinary endeavour that demands a high level of scientific literacy from the lead designer. This subject, Designing Living Systems, examines the technical aspects of ecological design in the urban context.
Through a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials delivered by practitioners and experts from the allied disciplines, this subject guides the students through the process of developing a conceptual ecological design that is grounded in applied urban ecology.
This seminars and studio-based core subject explores the integration of living systems into Melbourne’s urban environments, focusing on where people live and work. The subject builds on theories, principles, practices and representations introduced in Natural History and focuses on design applicability through a series of assignments.
Intended learning outcomes
- To develop the ability to select plant material palettes and prepare planting plans for a range of urban project scales in Melbourne;
- To develop an appreciation of the aesthetic, functional and ecological contributions of living systems (native and non-native plants and plant communities, soils and their relationship to micro-climates, water systems, biodiversity, energy and on-going maintenance, performance rating schemes) to contemporary and future urban landscapes;
- Assimilates ecological design principles, spatial patterns and aesthetic considerations of planting design with the built urban environment, with an emphasis on the research and expression of ecological ideas;
- Engages with and manipulates the interrelationship between animal, plant, soil, hydrological and climatic conditions;
- Familiar with the characteristics of commonly used Australian plants and their ecosystems;
- Develop an understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges specific to ecological design in the urban context;
- Develop skills in landscape documentation techniques.
Generic skills
- Critical and spatial thinking
- Multiscalar spatial analysis
- Ability to represent concepts and express them through graphic representations, written and oral presentations
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LARC10001 | Natural History | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Knowledge of the following subject is strongly recommended:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ARCH10003 | Design Studio Alpha |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Assignment 1: plant Database, equivalent to 600 words due week 3, 15%
- Assignment 2: Ecological Research, equivalent to 600 words due week 5. 15%
- Assignment 3: Site Analysis, equivalent to 800 words due week 7, 20%
- Assignment 4: A design exercise equivalent to 2000 words due week 12.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Siqing Chen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1X2 hour lecture and 1X2 hour tutorial Per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Semester 2 contact information
Simon Chen (Subject Coordinator)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022